November 29, 2008
OFF THE HOOK
by Melanie Behrens
Marysville Journal Tribune
Drumming their own story!
They grew up in Union County and were a family of 14 children — 10 boys and four girls — plus the parents, Frances and Evelyn, who were married in 1920. That made up the Drumm family of Blues Creek Road.
Sixteen in one home was a lot of people in one place! There were four bedrooms and in the girls’ room the situation was all four in one double bed (two at the top two at the bottom). At first there was no bathroom, just an outhouse with bathing done in a metal tub. Later an inside bath was added.
As is typical, the boys were responsible for the outdoor chores and work on the farm and the girls’ work began after a meal. The family ate at the dining room table with bench seating for four on each side and additional chairs were placed there and on the end to accommodate everyone.
Gloria Drumm Oates was one of the youngest children and she remembers meal time as fun. She related: “You sat there and ate and there was no squabbling. If there was any of that, you were reprimanded and asked to get up from the table. But generally we would talk, laugh and pass the food
until it was gone.”
The four daughters would then do the cleanup which began with kitchen detail, including doing dishes, sweeping floors (since there was no carpet) and making everything ready for the next meal. She says this continued for years until one of the daughters would move out and get a job. Then the others would take up the slack. There were some arguments, but it was generally a happy family.
When Gloria was born in 1936, some of the older brothers were just beginning to leave home. This was probably fortunate in a way because that made room for the new ones. The Drumm children were taught that when they were old enough they were expected to get out and find a job. Gloria said they were told, “Even if you have to dig a post hole, do it and work your way up.” Their parents also reiterated, “Do not expect a handout from John Q. Public — earn your money.”
Gloria’s family is well known in this county for its military service. Ten of them have been part of our armed forces history. This brings the memory from Gloria: “Every time mom received a letter from one of her children away in the service, she would take that letter and go to her flower garden or enclosed back porch. There she would read the letters and cry.”
The tradition of military service began with their father, Francis Drumm Sr. who served in the Ohio National Guard during WWI setting the scene for his sons and one daughter to follow. Oldest son Pearl served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on the USS Phenakite. It was later decommissioned and he was
moved to a Navy tugboat stationed on Staten Island, N. Y. After his discharge he returned to raise his family in Marysville, where he still lives today.
His brother, Robert, who is deceased, served as a private in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theater, fighting from foxholes in Germany and France. He was the recipient of many awards including the Bronze Star. He returned to central Ohio and lived with his family in Prospect.
Carl served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and after his discharge in 1946 returned to Irwin, where he raised his family and also farmed. Arthur Drumm was a sargeant in the Marine Corps during the Korean War and after his discharge in 1952 came back to this area and started his own business,
Marysville Rotary Broom. He is currently semi-retired. Richard Drumm was in the U.S. Army in the Korean War and was overseas in Germany. After being discharged in 1954 he started his own business, the Drumm Wrecker Service, which is still in operation.
Donald, who is deceased, served in the U.S. Air force during the Korean War and after his discharge, moved to Magnetic Springs to raise his family. Francis Drumm Jr. was a sargeant in the Marine Corps at the end of the Korean War. After three years of service he was discharged in 1957, came home and worked in the Marysville-Plain City area. He must have missed his military service days, because very soon he re-enlisted in the air force. That sent him to Vietnam, where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross among many other honors. He lives in California.
Rodney Drumm served in the U.S. Army during the Cuban Crisis and after his discharge in 1963 returned to Marysville to work at Ohio grain and later the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. He is currently retired. Joining her brothers in military service was Wanda Drumm Henry, who is deceased. She served in the Women’s Army Corps during the Korean War and after her discharge in 1961 returned to Marysville to raise her family.
There was only one brother, Stanley, who is deceased, who did not serve in the military. That was not of his doing. He was denied service because of a medical situation.
Gloria proudly speaks for the rest of her surviving siblings. “When you have this many members in one family serving their country and fighting for our freedom, I feel it is truly honorable. All the members of our family are truly proud of the part they were able to play.”
Gloria continues, “We all grew up, left home and our lives changed. But to look back over the years brings to mind how lucky we were to have our parents with 14 children, giving us these basics of life — work hard, pay your bills, keep your nose clean and have respect for others.”
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